This last part is one of the biggest obstacles that I observe people have when buying fine art. Most often there is no validation that one is making the right decision. There is no Kelly’s Blue Book to reference. There is no Consumer’s Digest to which to refer. You can easily get the opinion of an Art Dealer or Gallery Owner but these people have a vested financial interest in pushing the work of artist’s they are show casing. There is only your own taste and judgment to rely on. And that, for most people is a scary thing.

People often come back to an art show that I am doing with friends or relatives looking for confirmation that they are making the right decision. Checking with these friends and relatives will only confirm their taste in art and not yours. More often than not, these people prefer another painting I have or worse yet for me, they prefer another artist’s work. People do not seem to want to have the courage and rely on the convictions of their own taste.

So my suggestion to you the next time you see a piece of art that takes your breath away, go for it. You will be surprised at how accurate your instincts can be. If the piece catches your attention immediately, it will continue to do so for years to come. You will be happy that you purchased the piece.

Remember we are attracted to art on an emotional level. It is what feeds our spirit. But we justify to ourselves the purchase of art on a logical level. Don’t let your logical side deprive your spirit of what it needs. Be gutsy and take the chance!!!!!!!

Ronald Pratt

To help your chances to achieve a better painting follow this advice:

1. Always mix up your color palette before you start painting. You then have one less thing to think about during the painting process – what colors you are going to use.
2. Use ample amounts of pigment with just enough water to liquidize the paste. You can always add more water for a lighter hue later but it is impossible to get a good rich color from a watery puddle if you use too much water to mix your colors from the start.
3. Mix at least 3 values (light, medium and dark) for every color you plan to use in the painting. You then have the value range you need to create interest, variety and depth in your work.
4. I always start a new painting with a clean palette and squeeze fresh paint straight from the tubes onto the palette. You are starting with clean paint this way and you will have purer color on your paper.
5. I don’t use the wells at the side of the palette because the paint in these wells quickly becomes contaminated with other paints, dust, dirt, insects and what not. When it dries it becomes like “cake” paints and I find it hard to mix good rich puddles of color from cake paints.
Try this and see how you like it. I think you will be surprised by the results and will see an immediate difference in your watercolor paintings.

Happy painting!
Ronald Pratt

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Crow Canyon Country Club
711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville, CA

The Jack London Room

$40 If you reserve now

Or pay $45 at the door

You are invited to participate in this Framing and Mat Cutting Workshop being led by Ronald Pratt at the Crow Canyon Country Club in Danville on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  The workshop will be located in the Jack London Room and will include a demonstration on cutting mats, framing with metal frames and framing with wood frames.

The workshop will begin with a demonstration and discussion on various mat cutting techniques for single mat, multiple mats, off-set corners, V-grooves, double bevels and inlays.  Also discussed will be recognizing some of the basic problems that arise in mat cutting and how to prevent these from occurring. We will break at noon for a one hour lunch.  The Country Club has a grill where sandwiches, salads, etc. and drinks and be purchased for a nominal fee.

The workshop will resume at 1:00 pm with a demonstration and discussion on framing your work with metal and wood frames.  The basics of framing with these materials will be discussed along with common problems that occur and how to prevent these.

If you have your own materials, you are welcome to bring them to mat and frame your own work or you can just observe.  Sample pieces will be available for you to practice the techniques we will learn.  Remember this is primarily a demonstration workshop so please do not bring your entire portfolio and expect to get them all matted and framed. 

If you have any questions please call Ron Pratt at (510) 742-0063 or cell (510) 366-7740.

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Even though adding one more item to an already overcrowded schedule may sound absurd, taking a bit of time to paint will calm the soul, settle the nerves and put everything into perspective.  It is through the act of creating and sharing that creation that we artists get our greatest joy.  Paint something and then find a deserving person to whom to give that painting.  That simple act will put the rest of the holiday rituals into perspective.  No money has been spent. Nothing is expected in return.  You don’t even have to know the person to whom you are giving the painting.  Try it!  It is more healing than any anti-anxiety drug.  It is far cheaper than therapy.  And it will calm the soul like nothing else.

You will find that after the holidays, you will have a renewed burst of enthusiasm and energy for your normal painting.  It will get your creative juices flowing.  And you will not suffer as much from the post holiday blues wondering was it all worth it.  Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Happy Holidays

Ronald Pratt

Date: December 5th, 2009
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Location: 37 Snyder Way, Fremont, CA 94536

Description: Welcome to our 18th Annual Open Studio Art Show and Sale. An exceptional selection of original watercolor paintings, prints, and fine pottery will be available to your Holiday shopping. Think creative, think artistic and delight your friends and family with your Holiday gifts.

Start the Holiday Season with some good cheer, some good friends and some great shopping. Come in person or shop online at www.RonaldPratt.com (pottery items not available online). Enter in person to win an original watercolor painting, prints, private lessons, pottery and more. We’ll see you there!

Winter Vines

We’re nearing the completion date for the new website and everyone is very excited.

One feature we’re really excited about will be the newsletter. This will be sent out to your email if you so choose about once every month or two. This will include Mr Pratt’s newest works, his current schedule of events and training sessions, VIP invitations, coupons, and a lot more.